For the past month Ozzy and Izzy the emus have had full access to the field.
Beautifully tame and inquisitive, they spend a lot of time at the gate being met by passers by.
The geese used to be the star attraction for passers by. The emus seem to now be taking font stage as the main attraction.
Having hatched them in April, it is still remarkable to think that they are only 5 months old! They are growing so quickly!
Ozzy and Izzy have now moved from the back garden to their nursery paddock.
This weekend we herded the emus out of the garden across the road and into their new home.
While they are young, I have sectioned off part of the field. They have access to the stable, where they go to bed at night and are locked away for safety.
During the day, they have full access to run around in their own little sanctuary.
After 9 months the plan is to give them free access to the field which they will share with the geese.
The emus now coming up for three months old are like all little children, exploring, playing, experimenting and always inquisitive!
They seem to have a fascination with brightly coloured materials, especially my son’s underpants!
Our first little emu hatched at 50 days incubation. This little one hatched on day 55.
So its name? The first was Ozzy, this is Izzy.
Normally to sex the little chicks you send off for DNA testing. This often involves using the membrane in the shell. However, the company I was going to use currently will only take blood or feather samples. I don’t feel it is humane to inflict either on the defensive little chicks.
As long as they have company that is what I feel is important.
Something new, never done it before. We were generously given quail eggs by someone who had purchased some of our honey. Told they were fertile, not having looked after quails before, we thought we would have a go at hatching.
As you can see, very small eggs – quail on the left, chicken egg in the middle and emu egg on the right.
The quail egg weighs 15 grams, the chicken egg 65 grams and the emu egg 750 grams!
To hatch a a quail egg the incubator temperature needs to be 37.1 centigrade with a humidity 50% RH.
A dozen eggs in our little incubator, I would expect about a 60% hatch rate. So possibly 7 quails, of which 60% or 4 will be male and 3 female. 23 days to hatch day and counting!
Check back for updates!
Second attempt to hatch 🐣 Emu eggs is underway! Day 2. Another 48 days to go until we know if we have been successful.
This time we have borrowed the Mother of all incubators.
Fingers crossed 🤞.
Last time was not successful Last attempt but we only had two eggs and perhaps an incubator not up for the job?
Enjoying the garden as the day comes to a close on the day of the Platinum Jubilee!
This year we acquired a new cockerel just after our former cock died from old age (6 years old!). The new cockerel is a very different character, and perhaps could be considered a classic cockerel. Very vocal and often finding a high point to crow from and remind us he is there and looking over the girls!
14th/15th April each year we see our first swallow. This morning I woke up and said “Today the swallows will return”. This afternoon we heard it’s twit twit twitting sitting on the phone line (sorry photo is not that good).
I am no oracle, looking into the future. Its absolutely amazing how they turn up on the same day each year. (Give or take a day either side) incredible!
We have this seasons goose eggs for sale. About 3 times the size of chickens eggs, they are a meal in themselves.
You can buy online click and collect, or from the door. Unfortunately, we do not ship.
To find out more and check availability see our website : https://chilcotts.farm/produce/local-fresh-goose-eggs/
Thank you for following!
